Sales of projectors essentially flat in Q1

Pico, personal, wide-screen, short-throw and high-brightness models did best

Around the globe, sales of projectors in Q1 2013 shrank slightly from the year-ago quarter to 1.95m units, according to PMA Research figures.

According to the marketwatcher, Q1 2012 saw some 2.07m projectors sold globally, but the 2013 figure excludes projector modules embedded in devices such as mobile phones, camcorders and displays.

Nick Rogers, chief executive of PMA, said sales were essentially flat but there were several areas of growth – including pico and personal projectors.

"In the personal projector market, compact and mostly Wide XGA projectors are nearing 1,000 lumens. These lightweight models, which feature solid-state illumination, have gone from less than 10 per cent of the mobile market only a few years ago to a more than 50 per cent share now," Rogers said.

Within the mainstream 1,000-3,999 lumen category, Wide XGA and 1080p commercial and home entertainment projectors did well, as did short-throw models. Government and education projects around the world have been cut back since Q1 2012, he noted.

High-end, 4,000-lumen or brighter models "performed quite well" in Q1 2013, according to PMA's figures.

"Sales of these high-bright projectors, particularly installation models in the 5000-6,000 lumen and 7,000-10,000 lumen ranges, registered solid growth in most developed and developing countries. Many of the traditional mainstream projector manufacturers are pushing upwards into higher-margin segments, and demand remains strong around the world," PMA said.